Preserving the Past

For Our Future

Established in 1955, the Libertyville Historical Society collects and preserves historical material and information relative to the Libertyville area. The 1878 Ansel B. Cook Home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to the society’s archives and museum.

2025 Summer Open Houses
Every Sunday in June, July and August, 2 - 4 p.m.

Docent-led tours. No reservation required.

Additionally open: Saturday, June 14, 2-4pm and Saturday, August 2, 2-4pm

$5/adults, kids FREE!

2025 Special Exhibits Include:

  • Civil War era dresses from a private collection

  • Civil War items from the Libertyville Historical Society collection

  • Hawthorn-Mellody Farm memorabilia in the Libertyville History Gallery

The Wide Awakes Banner Restoration

Liberty & Union Campaign

An item of invaluable historical significance to Libertyville and Lake County with a connection to a nation-changing moment in U.S. history is in need of restoration.

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Click a photo to learn more.

Come see the 1860 Wide Awakes banner, original Wide Awakes torches and a reproduction Wide Awakes uniform on the second floor of the Ansel B. Cook Home. The home is open every Sunday through August 31 from 2pm to 4pm. $5/adults, kids free!
Learn more at libertyvillehistory.org/wide-awakes.
Today's the day! The 2025 Ansel B. Cook Home Summer Open season is here. The home will be open every Sunday in June, July and August, 2 - 4 p.m. Docent-led tours. No reservation required. $5/adults, kids FREE!
First 2025 open house is this Sunday! Featured exhibits: Civil War era dresses from a private collection, Civil War era items from the Libertyville Historical Society collection and Hawthorn-Mellody Farm memorabilia in the Libertyville History Galler
Online via Zoom. REGISTER: 847-362-2330, cooklib.org/events, or at the Cook Memorial library. Hear the Great Depression-era story of a young, untried Waukegan artist, Reima Victor Ratti. A Dunn Museum educator will share details of the artist's days
Online via Zoom. REGISTER: 847-362-2330, cooklib.org/events, or at the Cook Memorial library. Discover connections between Libertyville and Lake Forest. Laurie Stein, Deputy Director and Head of Curation at the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bl